Malaysia is a federated constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia’s ultimate sovereign, is the government’s leader and the ruler of the Islamic religion. The nine ancestral rulers, popularly known as sultans of Peninsular Malaysia, choose this ruler for a five-year tenure from within themselves (Milne & Mauzy, 2019).
The remaining four regions are ruled by governors nominated by the supreme ruler and have no say in his appointment. Federal and state legislatures share legislative authority. The federal government and the two chambers of the federal parliament have legislative authority. This parliament is divided into two houses: The Senate (Dewan Negara) and the People’s Assembly. Both houses and the supreme leader must approve bills. Parliament can be dissolved at any moment by the monarch, generally at the prime minister’s suggestion, and polls must be held within three months. The federal government may pass laws to enhance the conformity of two or more states’ policies and act on any issue at the suggestion of a state legislative assembly. The cabinet, led by the prime minister, wields executive authority. The prime minister must be a part of the lower house and control a majority. Members of both chambers of parliament are chosen to form the government.
Malaysia’s prime minister is picked by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who chooses the cabinet on the prime minister’s suggestion. Every one of the thirteen states has a constitution that must be harmonious with the federal constitution. Each region has an executive committee that engages with non-federal issues and is led by a Menteri Besar, chief minister, who reports to voted state assemblies. Malaysia has two legal constituencies. One is determined by parliament for the entire country and demands a two-thirds majority to change. The second type of legislation is syariah, or Islamic law, which applies to Muslims. The government typically determines Syariah. A justice system modeled after the British coexists with Sharia courts (Pike, 2019).
The Federal Court is the highest court of appeal, and it has sole power over constitutional problems as well as disputes between states and between the national government and the regions. The Court of Appeal hears appeals from the High Courts. Most governments around the globe have assumed the British way of governance, and with Malaysia, it is all about conformity between states and good governance.
References
Milne, R. S., & Mauzy, D. K. (2019). Malaysia. Web.
Pike, J. (2019). Military. Malaysia Government. Web.